Esko, Minnesota's Trapp headed to UCLA

ESKO, Minn. -- Gliding through the crowded school hallway in a UCLA hoodie, big-and-tall teenage jeans and men's size 15 neon green Nikes, Savanna Trapp could not be missed as she headed to her final class of the day.

At 6-9 and believed to be the tallest girls' basketball player in state history, Trapp is used to the "Oh my gosh, she's so tall!" comments that pepper her daily interactions. Whether she's low-fiving kindergarteners half her size in Esko Public School, 16 miles southwest of Duluth, or ducking under a door frame and into a gymnasium, her height attracts attention.

"I've been dealing with it my whole life," Trapp said. "I suppose if I saw another person as tall as me, I'd run over and talk to them. I'm a minority. It's kind of special."

Nowhere is Trapp more special than on the basketball court. Trapp has blocked more shots -- 650 and counting -- than anyone in state history. She has scored 1,743 career points. Eleven colleges have offered her scholarships.

Trapp talked to the Gophers early on, but they mutually decided it wasn't a good fit.

When Trapp said yes to UCLA's offer, she not only became the first Esko girls' basketball player to earn a Division I scholarship, but she will be the tallest player in UCLA women's basketball history.

With her basketball skills still developing, she won't be the most refined player when she leaves Esko (pop. 1,869) and heads 2,081 miles west to Los Angeles this summer. But Bruins coach Cori Close sees her inherent talent.

"She has great feet and great hands and the rest is teachable," Close said. "She has a long way to go, but her growth potential is so high."

Trapp's tall parents, 6-9 Scott and 6-3 Kristine, aren't concerned about their daughter flinching at this challenge. Dealing with such pressure has become a normal part of her life since she reached 6 feet at age 12.

"A lot is expected of Savanna, and there is a lot of pressure," Scott said. "And she's held up to the demands everyone has put on her shoulders."

With Trapp anchoring the middle, the Eskomos have risen to No. 3 in the Class 2A rankings and have only lost two games this season. Esko coach Scott Antonutti knows Trapp's looming presence gives his team a huge advantage.

"Most teams are aware it's tough to get shots off," he said. "You hear them say, 'I should have known that was coming.'"

Trapp's height and reach has led teammates to call her the Eskomos' "get out of jail free card." Esko guards Marisa Shady and Brooke Schramm have perfected a lob pass that only their center's outstretched hands can reach for an easy layup. On defense, Trapp swats most of her blocks without jumping.

Trapp is the first to admit that despite her dominance, her talent remains raw and her game needs improvement to make the jump to big-time college ball.

Even though Trapp grew up ice skating on a pond, building campfires and extreme golf-carting in the backyard of her family's 10 acres, UCLA's Westwood campus felt homey to Savanna. She plans to pursue marine biology and environmental science.

The nationally ranked Bruins are eager to welcome the new tallest woman in program history.

"Part of the appeal is we can teach her," Close said. "It's a risk as to when she'll make a big impact. ... But I actually see (her being) a changing force in the NCAA. It's just a matter of time."